Brassiere Cup Sizing from Lower Bust Volume for Shape-Aware Fit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the size of clothing with cups, such as brassieres, struggle to accurately fit each user's body shape due to the variability in bust shapes and sizes among individuals, especially when targeting multiple users.

Innovation Solution

A size determination apparatus and method that calculates the volume of the lower part of the bust and the entire bust to determine the cup size, using coefficients to convert these volumes into a combined value for precise fitting, allowing multiple candidate sizes to be recommended.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional measurement methods (top and underbust girths) are used to determine brassiere size, then the process is simple and quick, but the fitting accuracy for each user's unique body shape deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of size determination processVSAvoidfitting accuracy for individual body shapes
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bust volume into two distinct components: lower bust volume (calculated from points below a reference height) and upper bust volume (remaining portion). This segmentation allows the system to prioritize the lower bust volume for cup size determination while still considering upper bust volume for comprehensive size matching, thereby achieving both simplicity and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different weighting to different parts of the bust. The lower bust volume is given primary importance (multiplied by a first coefficient) for determining cup size, while the upper bust volume is considered secondarily (multiplied by a second coefficient). This local quality approach ensures that the measurement method focuses on the most critical area for fitting while still accounting for other factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If three-dimensional scanning is used to acquire comprehensive body shape information, then the fitting accuracy improves, but the complexity of the measurement system and processing requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of bust shape measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of 3D scanning and processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary information from the comprehensive 3D body scan data. Instead of processing the entire complex 3D model, the system extracts specific point cloud data below a reference height plane to calculate lower bust volume, and uses the remaining data for upper bust volume. This extraction approach maintains measurement precision while significantly reducing processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the 3D bust data into two spatial regions based on height position: lower bust (below reference height) and upper bust (above reference height). This segmentation allows the system to process and analyze only the relevant portions of the 3D data independently, reducing computational burden while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If cup size is determined based solely on the volume of the entire bust, then the calculation is simple, but the fitting accuracy for different body types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of volume calculationVSAvoidfitting accuracy for different body types
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the total bust volume into lower bust volume and upper bust volume components. The lower bust volume is calculated by integrating point cloud data below a reference height plane, while the upper bust volume is the remaining portion. This segmentation enables the system to differentiate between various body types and provide more accurate cup size determination based on the specific distribution of volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent assigns different weights to different volume components based on their importance for cup size determination. The lower bust volume is multiplied by a first coefficient (emphasizing its importance), while the upper bust volume is multiplied by a second coefficient. This local quality approach ensures that the calculation reflects the actual fitting requirements of different body types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3935979B1Size-determining device and size determination method for cupped garment
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 WACOAL
  • EP3935979B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3935979B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3935979B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A brassiere size determination apparatus for clothing with cups covering a user's bust includes an acquisition unit and a determination unit. The acquisition unit acquires a first volume of at least a lower part of the bust. The determination unit determines a cup size of clothing with cups based on the first volume of the lower part.